Watch CBS News

Baltimore County Police Shoot And Kill Man With Knife

RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- An officer-involved shooting in Baltimore County has left one man dead. It happened outside the 7-Eleven store in Randallstown just after 2 a.m. Saturday.

Tracey Leong spoke to the man's family.

Police shot a man who they say was threatening people inside the 7-Eleven on the 98-hundred block of Liberty Road---but his family disagrees, saying he was not a violent person.

"He's not no dog. He's a human being," said his mother, Consuella Johnson. "He's a human being."

The family of Edward Bright Sr. was unable to fight back tears knowing their loved one was shot dead by police.

Officers say the 56-year-old was threatening people inside 7-Eleven with a knife and when Bright walked outside, he refused to cooperate with police.

"This is a deadly force situation. This gentleman, if he was within 21 feet, could have closed in on officers in less than two seconds," said Shawn Vinson, Baltimore County police.

Police say they tried using a Taser, but it had no effect on Bright, so they pulled out their guns.

Jabrio Valentine was outside 7-Eleven at the time.

"They never Tazed him, had Tasers out. Basically, as soon as another officer arrived at the scene, they just opened fire. It was more than two shots. They shot him at least five times or six times and he laid on the ground and died instantly on the spot," Valentine said.

"Could have shot him in the leg or something. Why did they have to kill him? He didn't harm anybody," said his sister, Aleta Holeman.

Bright's family says he was never a threat.

Edward Bright

"I talked to the guy who owns the 7-Eleven and he says my brother didn't try to rob them and my brother didn't have a knife," Holeman said.

"Didn't seem right, because my dad's not like that," said his daughter, Edtrina Bright.

While the family believes Brights' death is unjustified, police say officers followed protocol.

"Our officers are trained this way. They have this in mind; their priority is public safety," Vinson said.

The family says all they can do now is wait for answers.

"He loved everybody. He didn't have to die that way," Johnson said.

Bright was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is being led by the Baltimore County police homicide unit, which will be reviewed by the state's attorney's office.

The officers in this case will be placed on routine administrative leave.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.